I first met Mr. Smith when I worked at the Home Office for Colonial Life.  On our first conversation he scolded me for attending the wrong school....NC A&T SU.  From that day forward we became instant friends.  There was not a week that went by that I did not call him or Erica or Rosetta just to say hi and check on things with all of them. Likewise he would always call and try to convince me that I should sell insurance and move to GA.

He will truly be missed by all.  I will remember his laughter and his ability to always tell it like it is no matter what you thought about what he said.  I know that he truly loved his family because of the many stories he told me on the phone while I was multi-tasking with work and talking to him.

I am sad to know that I will not have those laughs and conversations any more but I am also glad that he is no longer suffering and that he is finally at rest. We talked so much about his family and mine that I feel that I not only lost a friend but a treasured family member.  Your family will always be in my thoughts and prayers. Remember the times you shared together and cherish the memories of his wonderful life.

Judy and Family

I am so sorry for your loss, but it is God's gain.  I know Bob is telling stories and making everyone laugh in heaven. 

Bob was a great friend and provided encouragement to me while we were members at Hillcrest.  He always had that ever present smile and deep belly laugh. He would look at you sideways and you almost thought he was serious and then that smile would give him away every time. 

He was so proud of his family and only wanted the best for each of his children. 

I am sorry that Becky and I will be unable to attend any of the services for him since we are out of town.  Please know we are praying for each of you.  God bless and take care.

I spent a day at work with Robert observing him and his staff as a requisite for a program that I was involved in. The day started very slowly, just hanging out, talking and laughing with everyone. In the back of my mind I thought that this was going to be a very short day and I would get home earlier than usual.

Robert treated me to lunch at Olive Garden and told me that we had just completed recess and now it was time to work because he had to do a presentation in Atlanta at the police department beginning at 2 p.m.  After a quick drive to Atlanta, the presentations started (watching Robert use all of his many talents at making other laugh, feel comfortable and buying his product ).

I thought that we’d be finished at 3 or 4 p.m. but we didn’t finish until 5:30 p.m. and still had to drive back to Decatur. What I remember most is thinking, “Man if I had gone to work today, I’d be home in McDonough by now.” I shared these thoughts with him and he just laughed (so did I).